District Local Technical Assistance funding to support local initiatives 

Each year, the Cape Cod Commission receives funding through the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Living Communities to provide technical assistance to towns in our region. The District Local Technical Assistance (DLTA) program helps municipalities with sustainable development and encourages partnerships to achieve planning and development goals that align with state and regional priorities. 

Over the years, DLTA funds have supported housing and wastewater initiatives, studies of redevelopment options and economic development strategies, and targeted local planning and zoning efforts. Four projects received 2025 DLTA funds:  

Falmouth: Guidelines for mixed residential and commercial overlay district 

The Town of Falmouth will receive technical assistance from the Cape Cod Commission to develop design guidelines for the Mixed Use Residential and Commercial Overlay District (MRCOD). These guidelines will address building siting, form, and pedestrian-scale features, ensuring alignment with Falmouth’s architectural character while supporting mixed-use and multi-family housing. 

Orleans: Advancing the Local Comprehensive Plan 

The Town of Orleans will receive funding assistance to advance and complete its local comprehensive plan update efforts. The funds will support public outreach and engagement, culminating in Town Meeting action on the new Local Comprehensive Plan (LCP). A draft LCP is complete, and the Town is actively conducting public outreach to build support for its approval at Fall Town Meeting in 2025. 

Sandwich: Advancing zoning for commercial and residential development 

The Town of Sandwich will receive technical assistance from the Cape Cod Commission to advance zoning aligned with its updated wastewater management system. Building on a zoning framework completed with DLTA funds in 2019, this work will develop more comprehensive zoning amendments for South Sandwich Village and the Historic Town Center, including potentially utilizing the outcomes of the Commission’s pre-approved housing plans.  

Strategy for establishing year-round occupancy incentive programs 

As requested by the Town of Orleans, the Commission will collaborate with a consultant to develop regional strategies for year-round housing incentive programs. This initiative aligns with a key recommendation of the Regional Housing Strategy to provide financial incentives for converting and preserving year-round housing. The consultant will assist in formulating a comprehensive strategy, including but not limited to potential deed restrictions and a program to transition short-term rentals into long-term housing, programs and strategies being implemented elsewhere in the Commonwealth and country.